Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. concluded a week of contentious congressional hearings this week over President Trump's proposed 2027 HHS budget cuts. Kennedy spent the week testifying before House and Senate panels in Washington to defend the administration's plan. The plan would cut HHS funding by more than 12 percent, including $15.8 billion overall and over $5 billion from the National Institutes of Health. Kennedy called the cuts painful but necessary to address what he said is a $39 trillion federal deficit. He repeatedly denied responsibility for falling childhood vaccination rates and recent measles outbreaks, instead blaming a COVID-era loss of trust. PBS noted he has also pivoted toward diet and "nutritious eating," sometimes making exaggerated claims about diet curing illnesses.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. faced heated questioning from House Democrats during a series of budget hearings this week in Washington. He defended a proposed more than 12% cut to the Department of Health and Human Services budget and said he would reform dietary guidelines and root out waste and fraud. Kennedy is set for seven hearings across committees this week as he also navigates staffing gaps at the CDC and the surgeon general's office during ongoing measles outbreaks.